Fairfield defeats Niagara 77-69

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) - Derek Needham scored a career-high 32 points and Rakim Sanders had a double-double as Fairfield rallied for a 77-69 win over Niagara on Friday night, sweeping the season series.

Needham made 11 of 16 field goals and was 6 of 11 from long range for the Stags (12-10, 7-4 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), who also beat the Purple Eagles 79-75 on Dec. 2.

Sanders had 14 points and 14 rebounds and Desmond Wade added 15 points and eight assists.

There were 13 lead changes in the game, six in the first half, with Niagara (9-15, 4-8) leading by as many as five and 34-31 at the break.

With the Purple Eagles ahead 42-41, Wade's 3-pointer sparked a 15-5 run, giving the Stags a 56-47 lead with 7:34 remaining.

Antoine Mason had 16 points and Ameen Tanksley added 12 points and 12 rebounds for Niagara, which lost its fourth straight game.